Machine for forcing fittings into the ends of wooden bars



' Nov. 15, 1949 I H NELSON 2,488,318

MACHINE FOR FORCING FITTINGS INTO THE ENDS OF WOODEN BARS Filed Feb. 27, 1947 6 Sheer,sSheet l 74 A24 /24 I A22} //22 v INVENTOR 29 HARRY emo/v BY M, M1 44% HIS ATTORNEYS Nov. 15,1949

H. NELSON 2,488,318 FOR FORCING FITTINGS INTO 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1947 1 INVENT R HARRY A/fL'SO/V I BY M,M+M-

ms ATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1949 H. NELSON 2,488,318

MACHINE FOR FORCING FITTINGS INTO THE ENDS OF WOODEN BARS Filed Feb. 27, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 HIS ATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1949 H. NELSON 2,488,318

MACHINE FOR FORCING' FITTINGS INTO THE ENDS OF WOODEN BARS Filed Feb. 27, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Iii/1771110110 Ill INVENTCR HARRY n/flson 89 84 89 BY W,M+ M H IS ATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1949 H. NELSON MACHINE FOR FORCING FITTINGS INTO THE ENDS OF WOODEN BARS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 2'7, 1947 FIG.|2

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FIG

FIG.I3

INVENTOR HARRY A fl50/V ML M+M FIG.|7

HIS ATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1949 H. NELSON MACHINE FOR FORCING FITTINGS INTO 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 27, 1947 FIG.I8

2 I 9 T (3 A, 2 7 I N K I 7 m I- I M I i 6 H 7 \I/ 5 3 x w w w 6 M n J a w W O #1 2 2 W m 6 4 w F EL a; M H lili\ NM 5 2 4 1 Q 6 W I Z lNVENTOR 30 HARRY MASOIV BY W,M+ m

HIS ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 15, 1949 MACHINE FOR FORCING FITTINGS INTO THE ENDS OF WOODEN BARS Harry Nelson, New York, N. Y., assignor to Lorentzen Hardware Mfg. Corp, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 27, 1947, Serial No. 731,393

11 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for forcing fittings into the ends of wooden members, and more particularly to machines for forcing driven fittings into the ends of wooden Venetian blind bars.

In the manufacture of Venetian blinds, it is desirable to insert fittings of Various shapes into the ends of certain of the bars used in the blinds. These fittings are conventionally of driven type, having one or more prongs or legs which may be toothed, barbed, or otherwise roughened to increase their holding ability and are driven into the squared ends of the bars in a direction parallel with the grain.

Such fittings are customarily used for supporting a Venetian blind tilt bar beneath the head bar, a fitting being driven into each end of the tilt bar and engaging a tilter mechanism and a tilt bar bracket, both of which are usually mounted on the underside of a head bar. These fittings usually comprise a round pin for engagement with the tilt bar bracket and a flat or other non-circular fitting for engagement with the tilter, the former being termed in the trade a gudgeon pin, and the latter a connector. While the present invention is suitable for driving other fittings, it has been particularly designed for the driving of such fittings into the ends of Venetian blind tilt bars.

Prior to use of the machine disclosed in Patent No. 2,260,389 of October 28, 1941, issued on the invention of Hans K. Lorentzen, it was very difficult to successfully insert fittings in the ends of wooden bars unless a hole was first made in the ends of the bars for reception of the fittings. The present invention, which is in some respects an improvement over the machine disclosed in the above-mentioned patent, is directed to the improvement of certain structural and operating features of such a machine.

In the form shown, the machine includes a stand for firmly supporting the fitting driving mechanism at a convenient height above the floor. A clamp and suitable guides are provided for clamping a wooden bar in definite position relative to a fitting driving mechanism. The fitting driving mechanism, which includes displaceable supports for guiding a fitting into proper position in the end of the bar, serves to drive the fittings into the ends of tilt bars. Power is supplied for operation of the driving mecha nism by a pedal and a toggle joint, toggle joint operation being particularly advantageous in that, as the links of the joint are moved towards alignment, the mechanical advantage of the ,55-

force applied to the pedal is increased so as to provide for easy fitting driving into the hardest of woods.

A toggle joint is also incorporated in the tilt bar clamp so as to obtain an easier clamping and unclamping action. In addition, cap screws are provided for adjusting this clamp to grip various thicknesses of head bars. Rubber blocks, which are compressed during the clamping ac tion, serve to give some latitude in the adjustment of the clamp so as to give a satisfactory clamping action, and at the same time provide for minor differences in thickness of tilt bars without resort to the adjustment screws.

An object of the present invention is to provide, in a machine of the type described, an improved means for supporting and guiding fittings while being driven into the ends of tilt bars.

A further object is to provide in such a machine an improved operating mechanism so as to facilitate actuation of the fitting driving mechanism.

A further object is to provide "an improved clamp for holding bars in position while driving fittings therein.

A further object is to generally improve Inachines of the type herein described.

A still further object is to provide an improved machine for driving a plurality of difierently shaped fittings.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and use will more definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

My invention is clearly defined in the appended claims. In the claims, as well as in the description, parts are at times identified by specific names for clarity and convenience, but such nomenclature is to be understood as having the broadest meaning consistent with the context and with the concept of my invention as distinguished from the pertinent prior art. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which:

Fig. l. is a front elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, portions of the machine being broken away for convenience of illustration and other portions being shown in section to show details of con struction.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine, showing details of the fitting driving mechanism, portions of certain members being broken away or shown in section to show de 3 tails of construction. A fitting is shown in position for driving into an end of a tilt bar.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the machine taken generally on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 and showing a fitting positioned for driving into the end of a tilt bar.

Fig- 4 isxa'ifragmentary section-similar to Fig. 3 of a portion of the'mechanism shown therein, the

fitting having been driven into the end of the parts in the position they occupy upon completion of the fitting-driving movement.

Fig. 9 is a perspective'view of aform'of fitting driving head designed to drive not only the fitting shown in Figs. 2 and 3 but also the fitting shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of anendof a tilt .bar having a fitting of the type shown in Fig. d'driven therein.

Fig. 10a is a perspective view of the opposite end of .the tilt .barshown in Figpli). a fitting of the type shown in.Figs. 2 and 3 being shown driven therein. I

Fig. .11. is afragmentary vertical section .taken .generallyon the line i l-l l .of Fig. 2, a diiferently ..shaped fitting being shown .in position on the 1 fitting supportsthanthatshown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 11a, isaplanviewof anothenfortrn. of fitting.

Fig. .112 is a plan-view of afurther form of fitting.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a form of fitting 1 drivin head designed to drivezthe fittings shown ;in.-Figs. 11aand12.

Fig. 14 is fragmentary verticalisectiongenei-- ally smilar to Fig; sshowinga fittingjof the type shown in Fig. 311a,: indriven position.

' Fig. '15 is a view generally. similar tdFig. 14,

. showing a fitting of the type'shownin'FigDlZin driven position.

Fig. 16 is aperspective-view of an end of a tilt bar having a fitting of the type shown in Fig. 116; driven therein.

Fig. 17 is a perspective View of the opposite end of the tilt bar shown in FigplG having a fitting of the type shown in Fig. 12 driven therein.

Fig. 18 is a perspectiveview of a further-form of'fitting driving head, designed-to drive the fit- 'tingsshown in Figs. Sand 11a.

' Fig. 19. is a'left side elevation of themachine. f Fig. 20 is a vertical section of the bar clamp taken generally on the line ill-200i Fig. 1.

'21 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally on theline 2 l-Zl .of'Fig} 2.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 19, the fitting drivingmachine'com- 7 prises a tilt bar. clamp and a fitting driving mechanism 26 whichare supportedat a convenj ient operating height from the floor by a stand 2'5.

' The stand 2? is preferably formed entirely of 7 sheet metal of sufiiciently heavy gauge for the requisite strength and rigidity. "This stand has a base 29 which may be'secured to a floor by bolts 30 as indicated. A large vertical'channel 3| con- "stitutes thes'ides and back of thestahd ZTand is secured to the top 32 by bolts 35.

secured to the base 29 by welding or otherwise. The channel 3| is open at the front, as shown in Fig. 1, and supports a top 32 which is preferably formed with a downwardly-directed marginal flange for increased rigidity. The stand 2'? also supports a portion of the operating linkage for the fitting driving mechanism a26,+"as will be described later.

A frame 34 which is formed by stamping or otherwise from relatively heavy gauge sheet metal hasa fiat rectangular top surface and a downwardly.dir.ected*fiange extending around its periphery and terminating in outwardly-directed longitudinal flanges 35 which are adapted to be The frame 34 serves to mount the tilt bar clamp 25 and the fitting driving mechanism 26.

The tilt bar clamp 25 includes a stationary lower clamping member 31 and a movable upper clamping member 39, the upper member being vertically .reciprocative between clamped and unclamped position. The upper clamping membertQ-is supported by a jaw 48 to which it is firmly attached. The law iii consists of a generally rectangular frame in which a transverse horizontal pivotpin ll is'mounted.

A pair of spaced cap screws '42, 42 positioned in front of and to the rearof the clamping members 31 and 39 form the uprights for the clamp The lower portion of each of these screws is threadedly engaged with a frame reinforcing member id, which is posiitoned immediately beneath the frame 34 (see Fig. 20).and is held in position by screws 35. The screws :32, 42 support at their upperends a horizontal bridge member 46 spanning the space between thesescrews.

The bridge member 46 is a composite'member formed in part of two elastic rubber bushings-or pads 47, 41, one pierced by each of the screws 62, 42. Flat steel backing plates 49, 49 are positioned immediately above the pads 47, M. Immediately below the rubber pads 4'l,4l is ac'hannel-shaped plate so which may conveniently be formed of two channel-shaped thinner plates. that are nested together. This composite plate is best shownin Figs. 1, 19 and 20 and extends from frontto rear of the clamp 25, the screws 42, 42 passing through this plate as well as through backing platesdg, 49, respectively.

The horizontal bridge member 46 is normally supported in position on the screws 42, 42 by washers 5i, 5!, and cotter pins 52, 52 which pass through the-screws. This assemblyis such that the rubber pads 41, 41' are not compressed when I naledonthe pins 51; and .4! connects. the lever". 56

with the jaw All of the upper clamping member, this link preferably being formed of two spaced parallel plates, one positioned on each side of the lever r he pins 4] and 55 are anchored against all movement inthe jaw 36 and plate respectively by clips 63 and 48 '(Fig. 19) mounted on these members and engaging the pins.

The above-described linl: mechanism forms a toggle joint for reciprocating the upper clamping member 39 between clamped and unclamped position. A toggle joint is of particular advantage for a clamp of this type inasmuch as the mechanical advantage between the force applied to the lever 56 and the force applied by the upper clamping member 39 is continually increased as the pin 51 is moved into alignment between the pins 5'5 and 4|. Thus, the greatest clamping force is ob" tained when required for the final clamping movement of the clamping member 39.

A lever stop 60 formed of a generally U-shaped sheet metal stamping secured to the lever 55 contacts the top edges of the channel-shaped plate 50 upon forward oscillation of the lever to limit the clamping movement of the lever to that indicated in dot-dash lines in Fig. 20, in which the pin 5! is slightly to the rear of pins ii and 55. In this position of the lever 56, upward pressure on the clamping member 39 tends to oscillate the upper portion of the lever 56 forwardly, which movement is resisted by the stop 86. In this manner the stop 60 serves to hold the clamp 25 in clamped position against back pressure on the upper clamping member 39. A detachable lever extension 6| is secured in position upon the lever 56 by bolts 62, 52, Which also serve to mount the lever stop 60.

The distance between clamping members 31 and 39 may be adjusted by turning the cap screws 42, 42, thus raising 0r lowering the bridge member 16. To facilitate adjustment of the screws 42, i2, they may be of the type having a knurled cylindrical surface for hand operation and an Allen type socket for operation with an Allen wrench. When a tilt bar 64 (see Fig. is inserted between the clamping members 3'! and 39,

and the lever 56 is oscillated forwardly to clamping position, the clamping member 39 will be forced downwardly against the bar provided that the cap screws 42, 42 are properly adjusted. The pressure of this clamping member against the bar 64 reacts against the plate 50 and results in compression of the rubber pads 4'1, 4?, thus giving some latitude in the adjustment of the screws 42, 42, and giving a more uniform clamping pressure. This is of particular advantage inasmuch as there is variation in the thickness of wooden bars of the same nominal size, and this clamp will firmly and uniformly clamp such bars without any special adjustment thereof for individual bars of the same nominal size;

The jaw 45 with its upper clamping member 39 is supported from the cap screws 42, 42 by means of the toggle joint and bridge member 45 above described. This linkage permits a disad vantageous amount of side play in the clamping member so that, if no further support was provided, when the tilt bar 64 is held within the clamp and fittings driven by operation of the driving mechanism 25, the axial thrust on the bar during the driving operation would be initially resisted only by the friction between the tilt bar and the lower clamping member 37, the upper clamping member 39 being free to move with the bar for a short distance.

This lateral movement of the member 39 is prevented by vertical guides 65, 65 (Figs. 1 and 3) which are formed of round steel rods secured in the frame reinforcing member 44 and projecting upwardly parallel to the cap screws i2, 52. A cooperating bar 56 is secured in horizontal position to the jaw 46 of the upper clamping member by a pair of nuts and bolts 57, El. Spacers 69, 69 between the bar 6t and the jaw serve to hold the bar in correct position relative to the guides 65, 65. This guide assembly prevents movement of the jaw 40 with its upper clamping member 39 to the left as viewedin Fig. 1, thus permitting both clamping members to initially oppose the thrust on bar 64 resulting from the fitting driving operation. This allows a secure holding of such bars with less clamping pressure, thus resulting in prolonged life of the machine and preventing marring of the surface of bars.

The fitting driving mechanism 25, which is also mounted on the frame 38, is positioned opposite the tilt bar clamp 25. This mechanism has a pair of guide rails 70, 10 (Fig. 2) mounted on the top surface of the frame. These guide rails, together with the top surface of the frame 34 and a top guide member 5!, form a channel lying along along the center line of the frame and directed towards the center line of the tilt bar clamp 25. The guide rails it, ill and top guide member ll are held in assembled position on the frame 34 by bolts 14.

A fitting driving member 72 of generally rectangular cross section is mounted for reciprocation along this channel. The fitting driving member 272 has a stepped end 13 (see Fig. 3) for receiving a fitting driving head, such as heads 15, it and ll shown in Figs. 9, l3 and 18, respectively. These fitting driving heads differ in that each is adapted and shaped for the driving of specific fittings. The driving head 15 of Fig. 9 is adapted for the driving of the connector 92 shown in Fig. 6, which is generally similar to the connector shown and described in Patent No. 2,120,284 of June 14, 1938, issued to Hans K. Lorentzen. This same driving head also serves to drive gudgeon pin $3 shown in position in the machine in Fig. 2 and also shown in Fig. 10a.

The driving head shown in Fig. 13 serves to drive the connector 9d shown in Fig. 12, which is generally similar to that shown and described in Patent No. 2,269,213, of January 6, 1942, issued to Hans K. Lorentzen, and the gudgeon pin 95 shown in Fig. 11a. The driving head Tl shown in Fig. 18 is particularly shaped for driving the fittings 22, 53 and shown in Figs. 6, 11 and 110, respectively.

The fitting driving heads '15, I6, and TI are selectively secured to the forward end of the fitting driving member 12 by a cap screw E9 of the Allen type recessed in the driving head and threadedly engaging the driving member, thus providing for easy interchange of driving heads. Each of these driving heads is adapted for the driving of at least one type of connector and one 7 type of gudgeon pin so that it is unnecessary to change driving heads in order to drive the fittings required on both ends of a tilt bar (it.

Each of the driving heads l5, l5 and H has forward end particularly adapted for the fittings which it is intended to drive. The heads shown in Fig. 9 and 18 have a horizontal slot 89 and bores 3i and did, respectively, these configurations aiding in the guiding of the particular fittings for use with which they are intended during the driving operation. In addition, the head ll of Fig. 13 is provided with a somewhat larger conuterbore 32 to provide necessary clearance for tre fitting with which it is intended to be us J The head "it shown in 13 is generally s nlar to the head ll, except that the lower portion is omitted to provide necessary clearance for receiving the fittings which it is intended to drive.

Fitting supports designated as a whole by fill and 35 are initially interposed between the end of the tilt bar (it and the fitting driving member '12 and, in part, lie within the channel formed by the guide r'ails- .105 1 0.

amma These fitting supports,

which are best shown imFigs; 3,-4 and 5 serve to properly position a' pin-like fitting (e. g. such tilt'bar 64. 'l'hese supports also support the fitting "in position to be engaged by the driving *fittings-so positionedby -thesupports '84 and 85 prior tothe drivingoperation.

The fitting-supports 84' and 85 are pivotally mou-nted on a horizontal transverse-pinor bolt Bil-supported by a centrally mounted channel "I08 "on the"underside-of the frame 34. The channel m8 is shownin -F'lgs; 5' and 11 as having out- "wardly directed legs, but this channel may be of a inverted U shape if ':-'desired. 'These" supports "which. are formed of generally L-shaped sheet metafstampings"are'biased' clockwise into the 381 (seeFigsB and 5) connected between'de-r.

position shown in Fig. 3 by tension springs 81,

. pendingstationary abutmentsBB, B9 of the chan- "nel sides W8, W3 and'slo'ts83 (Fig. 3) and 88 lFig. '7) "formed inthe supports 84 and 85, re-

.spectively, a short 'distancebelow'the pin-BE.

I When-lthe' fitting supportsil i'and 85 are in i .norin'al positionsubstantially vertical upwardlyprojecting tongues 96 and SI, respectively, are positioned Within the. "channel formed 'by the 1.25 and the. driving member 72. --which-lie.in planes generally perpendicular to guide rails l il'filil (Fig. '2) and between'the clamp These tongues,

i the body portionsof the supports, are square across thetop except for a central semicircular groove 113a, as shown in'Figs. 5 and 11.

These supports will support in a level position within the grooves l3aj'l3afittings such as the gudgecnpin 63 shown inFigs'. 3 and 10a.

A hollow gudgeon pin of somewhat greater "diameter, suchas-the fitting 53 of Fig. 11 may also be supported by the fitting supports 84 and Thefitting-lifi will not lie in the bottom of the grooves ?3, T3 ofthese supports due to its larger diameter, and likewise, its axis will be -somewhat above.thatofthegudgeonpin 93 when 1 -..iilarly *pcsitioned. IIo render the height of k the axis ofthefittingJESsimilar to that of gud- 7 :geon pin es so astogpermit. its being driven into :*the tiltbarfi l at-the propenelevation', a shim 58 :may be provided and. the fitting supports 84 and :85 base. constructed and arranged in conjunction therewith as to prevent-the fitting supports from ing to the full extent-of their normal travel on a'fitting oi thisanature is being driven;

to Figs; 2,3,5 and 11.

The shinfiiit is'reciprocated in a channel 68 A again-st turning by engagement with the sides of -thechannel 53.

. shim 58 may bereciprocated into or out of en the fitting. support .85 .by recipro- 103151011 of the boltin theslot Hi3, after which' .gagement with After loosening the bolt Til, the

Tithe bolt may be retightened to clamp the shim height.

.::in selected position. -As seen in Fig. 11, the :ffittlng supporttfi has a-step formation at 51c which is adaptedto engage-the end of shim 58 to prevent'this support*from.rising to its-full At 993a fitting support 84 has a step formation which engages beneath support 35, and

' :thereiore the upward movement of support 841s n arrested :in s conformity with the uppermost po-z ears 9?, 9? secured to the rear of the base 29, as

28 issition' which shim-:5 St'permits for? fitting support "i185.

Each of the guide rails ill, '7 trhas an inwardlydirected. rabbet ma -(Fig. 11) Lto form..a'.:track I for the fittingstz, 94 and .95, each of WhiChlhaS flat generally parallel prongs. These fittings. are of uniform width so as to fit between the vertical walls of the rabbet formation lua, ltmtheifittings resting on'the horizontal surfacespfthe "-rabbets lila; lilo. Accordingly, the fittinglsupports 8d and 85, together with the rabbeted guide rails 'lu, iii, will position any fitting herein 'shown at a particular height and guide it axially forwardly during the driving operation.

The fitting supports 84 and '85 are successively oscillated counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig-3, to the position shown in Fig. 4, against the bias of the springs '81, 81. This successive movement of the supports 84 and 85 is caused 'by'pressure on the tongues and 9| of the supports bythe forward surface of the driving member 'IZ-as -it moves forwardly during the driving operation, oscillating the supports on pin-85. This arrangement serves to remove the supports from thepath of the driving member as it moves forwardly in driving a fitting.

The fitting driving member 'I2-is reciprocated within the guide rails Ill, ill by a mechanical linkage. This linkage includes a pedal Silvvhich is 'pivotally connected by a nut and bolt 98 to the shown in Fig. I. The pedal'96 isprovided with an enlarged forward foot-engaged portion' 99. A vertical rod I 00 is pivotally-connected to'the pedal a short distance in front of the bolt 923 and leads generally vertically upward, terminating in a fiat U-shaped stamping IN. A tension spring I02, connected at one end to a bail 104 struck from the undersurface of the top 32 and i1 connected at the other end to-thestamping -I-0I A transverse link I66 is pivotally mountedat its mid-portion on an-ear I01 projecting down wardly from the top 32. The link Hit is pivotal- 1y connected at one end to-the top of stamping NH, and at the other end to a-short vertical link I09. The vertical link I09 has its opposite end pivoted to a pair of links Ill] and Ill, the links 'I I0 and III-forming a toggle joint as will be explained.

'The opposite end'of the link H0 is pivoted to the frame 34, while the opposite end of the link I II is pivoted to alug H2 projecting downwardly from the rear end of the driving member 12, the frame '34 being"'longitudinally slotted to receive this lug and to'permit. its reciprocation.

The linkslOG, .I I0 and III are each formed of twofiat, spaced parallel plates in order to pro- 'vide balancedloadsupon the pivotal connections,

.50 asto prevent :excessive wear at thesepoints and make the machine easier to operate.

The above-described linkage, including. pedal .196and rod I06, form the operating mechanism for ..a.forcing the driving member 12 towards the tilt bar clamp 25 in order-to drivethe fittings. =The pedal 95 serves as. aleverto increase the mechanical advantageaon the rod Hill of the force exerted by the operator. .The toggle joint formed by links "I llland III serves to further increase this mechanical advantage. In this connection, it will be noted that, as the links H9 and HI move :into horizontal alignment, the mechanicaladsazantage continually .and' indefinitely zincreases.

greens This is of particular value in that at the start of the driving operation little force is required, and quick operation, rather than increased mechanical advantage, is desirable. As the fitting is forced into the end of the bar 64, it encounters increasing resistance caused by displacement of fibers of the wood as it is penetrated. This increasing resistance requires an increased mechanical advantage in order to secure easy operation of the machine. There is a further advantage in the arrangement shown, in that when the links H and III are forced into alignment, they are also aligned with the direction of travel of the driving member I2, thus minimizing friction between the driving member and its guide rails and providing for easy operation of the machine.

Guides are provided for definitely positioning the tilt bar 64 within the clamp 25. These guides are basically generally similar to those shown in Patent No. 2,260,389, above mentioned. A guide H4 extends to the left of the frame 34, as viewed in Fig. 1. This guide has a pair of spaced legs H5, H5 which are pivotally connected to the downwardly-directed longitudinal flanges of the frame 34 by cap screws H6, H6 engaged in the frame reinforcing member 44. The legs H5, H5 are maintained in horizontal position by engagement with the flanges 35, 35 of the frame when the guide H4 is extended to operating position. I

During shipment, or when the machine is not being used, the lever extension BI may be removed and the guide H4 folded over on the balance of the machine.

A transverse member II? connects the legs H5, H5 at their outer ends and has a plurality of spaced holes for the reception of a guide pin II 9. The guide pin H9 is positionable in the holes formed in the member II'I so as to adjust the guide for positioning different widths of bars, as will be explained.

A second guide I28] cooperates with the guide H4 in correctly locating bars in the clamp 25. This guide consists of a stamped housing which covers the driving member I2 and its associated guide rails is, It. The guide I is provided with a pair of depending flanges I2I, l2I positioned immediately outside of the guide rails, these depending flanges terminating in outwardly directed flanges I22, I22. The guide I2!) is free to reciprocate along the outside of guide rails l0, l5] and is retained in position thereon by tongues fi24, I24 laterally extending from the top guide member II near its forward portion and lying above the depending fianges'IZI, I2I.

The guide I20 is biased forwardly towards the tilt bar clamp 25 by a tension spring I25 (Figs. 2 and 3) connected between the rear end of the guide I21) and the rear end of the driving member top guide H. The guide I20 may be removed for disassembly or maintenance of the machine by moving it against the bias of the spring I25 until a pair of notches I26, I26 formed in the depending flanges I2I, I2I and flanges I22, 522 are positioned below the tongues I24, I24 of the guide H (Figs. 2 and 21), after which the guide may be raised vertically from assembled relation with the guide rails I8, 10.

The outwardly-directed flanges I22, I22 of the guide i2!) terminate forwardly, as best shown in Fig. 2, in a pair of vertical, equally divergent flanges l2'l, I21. These flanges serve to center the end of a tilt bar 64 pressed against them so as to aid in definitely positioning the bar in the clamp 25.

For convenience, bins I29, I 29 (Figs. 1 and 19) may be providedfor holding a supply of fittings in a position conveniently accessible to the operator of the machine. Each bin I29 is pref erably formed of a light sheet metal stamping having an open top and an open, forwardly-extending tray I30. A slidably mounted plate I3I serves to adjust the opening between each bin I29 and its tray I39 so that the fittings will feed outwardly into the tray to replace those withdrawn therefrom by the machine operator.

The bins I29, I29 are conveniently supported by spaced downwardly-directed tongues such as !32 (one shown) (see Fig. 19) extending from their back sides and hooked over the upper edge of a vertical rack I34. The rack I34 is secured so as to project upwardly from the rear edge of the top 32. A somewhat smaller bin I35 may also be provided on the rack I34 for holding the driving heads 15, I6 and TI when not in use, together with an Allen type wrench and shims I36 for the clamp 25.

In the operation of the machine, a bar such as the tilt bar 84 is placed within the clamp 25. Since it is usually desired to drive tilt bar fittings along the center line of the bar, it is necessary to adjust the clamp 25 and the guide H4 to accomplish this. Shims I35 of varying thicknesses may be positioned between the lower clamping member 3'! and the frame 34 to raise the clamping surface of the'member 3'! so as to raise the center line of the bar to a point level with a fitting supported on the fitting-guides B4 and 85. The clamping member 3'! is raised higher for thinner bars in order to secure proper alignment.

The pin H9 of the guide H4 is adjusted in accordance with the width of the bar in order to make the centerline of the bar coincide horizontally with the center line of the fitting to be driven. For wider bars the pin H9 will have to be set further back. As above mentioned, a plurality of spaced holes have been provided to receive this pin to allow for proper adjustment thereof. 1

The guide I20 will automatically center the end of a bar forced against the divergent flanges I21, since these flanges diverge at equal angles. Accordingly, when positioning a bar within the clamp 25, an end of the bar is forced against the flanges I2? and the rear edge of the bar is held snugly against the pin H9, the bar resting upon the lower clamping member 31 and the transverse member II! of the guide H4. The bar is then pushed to the right of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1 so as to force the guide I20 backward against the bias of the spring I25 until the end of the bar contacts the forward ends of the driving member guide rails It, Ill. When the bar has been positioned in this manner the center line of the bar substantially coincides with the center line of a fitting supported on the fitting supports 84 and or on the rabbets Illa, Ita.

After the bar 64has been positioned as above described it is clamped by oscillating the lever 56 forwardly, thus moving the upper clamping member 39 into clamping position as above described, in which position the rubber pads 41, 41 are somewhat compressed. As above mentioned, adjustment of the clamp 25 for clamping head bars of different thicknesses is secured by turning the cap screws 42, thus raising or lowering the bridge member 46.

After the bar 64 has been secured in proper position in the clamp 25, the fitting to be driven is positioned on the fitting supports 84 and 85,

or =on;;th.e rabbets 1 a, JIlasw-i-th the their en a i pren sdi-rect d towardsathe. bar. Dep s o of the :pedal ,96 foroes the, fittingdriving member 121110 the left as;:view ed in Fig/1 so as to drive the fitting into -zpositgiqn7in the bar; After releasing :the pedal, thebar.,--canbe unclamped, tnrnednendfor, end and-reelamped, after which the appropriate fittingp-forrvthe other end of the ban ma be driven. a The clamp not only serves 1 to yhold the ;bar 64 inthe position determined 1%) by the-guides l bland; l20; ;b1 1t also, due to the pressure exertedgonithe. top and bottom of the bar, seryes -to prevent splitting of the bar by the fittin during-the drivingoperation.

hi a machine. hass eende n njuncm QI QW th t e. driv n -ti fittin s n the ends 0L;Venetian; blind tilt bars; It; of equal applieaib lity or th d i ih a-o afit i s o e ends oftgvenetian blind'bottom bars, such fittings often being;;u$ed.to engage holdedown brackets asii e. we lrknewnrintm ar s i I claim: t

L .lne- 1 :mashine; if re riving fit n s into" th .H. Ve etian L n bersia clamp for heldze bansu pertinemeans for ho ding a fitting 25 nnpQ T'iQn er: driv nsin an e of the ba alili means for zdriving -thefitting intothe bar, fitting supporting in ans comprising a pair of ;p votally mounted fittingsupports adapted to be sneoessivelyowillfififidownwardly from fitting supportingpgpsitioQtbytfiheqfitting driving means u iee-i s-d i i gtne em t 2,, In azmaohine-giorsdriving fittings into the ends oi venetianzblind bars lanolarnp for holding a bar, s pporting meansefor holding a fitting in position; ior driving into-,amend-of the Ibar and meenszforrd ivingr the fittin lint at e a fitti g s ppert et eenste mp s ng,a e of fitting supgfaortspivotallg mo ntedona common horizontal? axis and adapted: tQJbesuccessively; 40 ospillated; downwardly frong., ,gfitt ingsupporting i es t on;- J y .thefit in driving means u n driviney-movememt 1 3. In a machine for driving fittings into the ends oifll'enetianrblind.bars meansfor clamping a ebar means ign: supporting-a fitting in-position ton driving, into janiendaofl-ithe han,v and. means for? driving, theefitting into. time-barin a single driving novernent saidfitting supporting means -v cemprising a pair,oi-fitting supports adapted to esuocessively engaged and displaced downwardly irom fitting;si ppoittingfposition by the fitting driyings neans during ;,it driving novementi 4. yIn,-.-a.-mach .ne for ldrivinetfit in s i o the I ends. of; Venetian blind bars, a,-olamp forlholding a Float; a; pix totally mounted support for holding a fitting ;in positionion, driving into -.an end of the.Pba.r,--and -meansfor; driving'the fitting into the .bar, Said fittinggsupport comprising a pivotally .monntedg membenxadaptedeto be displaced 6 downwardly from fitting supporting position during driving movement. of: the :fitting driving, mean Y r l Ina ma1ehi .efe nd ir n fit s: nt en ends of Venetian.- blind ibarsrnieans. for: clampinga b ar,. means foitisupporl in fitting,=in:position for; driving-iintotan 1Qd=9f banrand. means! 3 forvid -v neg -fit in intestined: of:- the -bar, saidfittingt supp rt -means compr in iaapai 0i. -.fit nr t i .1-941.2 ,3115991 :,to, be successively splatedr dQwll -w ifidly fljomi fitting. supportingposition during driving movementzofethe fittingiyneme sn a a e t 1 -"In t a tmechineiter: l m n iifimin sjnbpiihfi 12 endsiiof-zvenetianzlet nd clears anidshavingemteans: fenrholdingsa:beerthe (combinati n-wise i 'driner-.:-reeinroeelly monntediafor drini-netmevementqqandr havingza headireoessedetocreceive at reeiproatively r-mon'ntede fgr driving; movement; t

I "vgmg mo ement -oi:the :fittz ng'e river:- an; thawin fittinggsl-lpnor ine -i ontionir: interposed I I ILWBGDELt EbQR molding ans; sand the fittin driver, the fitting support beingdiso-s pleeediidewnwardnndnrin dritii-nezimmzem t 2 he-fittin gdriyenr 8- In;:a=.maehine forndriv, "gizfittingsinto-riches endeofrzvenetianaloli-nd bars-Ea fittingnri'ver use latebleefor fittiIIgeGIEVfifigJXIOMBmEIIt; guides1;:f0r2 thesfittinggdrinenixa: supportr-Iomamar, a clamp: for he1 bai:,-.- rid-a hgin-singi-io thelfittingodriverz and ;guid;'ssaiid housingihavingeduallydncergentn endzgsurfaoesz'fcm centeringzthenendzof ahbar relBL-r tive tothe-fitting driver. e

9.; Ir na :maehine tioiztdniving. fittingsxintorrthe; ndsi of il'enetia-nzblind fitting xlrilierxosoih. latablesafor fittinggdrivxirig-imeizementfl guidesefona hefi tinedriven a supnmitcfon a ibaigt'a, .o'lamli for. i. the. bnrt andiaahousingtfon the. fitting driver iaii'cld ides;-;-; said: heusing tbeifigl aosciilatahly amounted for movement in the directioniofttheifitting driver andzjbein'g biased toward the. :.c1amp and having equally"; divergent; :verticala end flanges adjacent the-:clamn; for'zcentering thee-end of avber relative'tQthezfittine-driver;

19.5 machine for: driyingfittingsinto the ends of 1 Venetiamblind :barsgcomp 'isin fitting drivs means, means r l i ezeilienetien blind" bar, gagainst -longitudinal; movement vwith an rend thereof ,1 {ageing toward and 'spaeed. from the driving meanstafittingtsupportbiased into position betw the fitting driving means and the end of 1 the -ban, and :imeansmgfon; variably limiting the: biased movement of:the fittingesl pport, to adapt I it fonsupporting difierentfittings.

1 :1-..- Aanachine fondriving fittingsinto-the ends ifi ne n b d ars; eemprisin fitting-driviingg-meansimeansfor; holding a Venetian blind ban againstnlongiti dinaltmovement with an end het tv ee ngtewem nd s ars di e dr ing meens a --fitting-, sa pporti biased into position i betweenthefittingedrivingmeans and the end of, thetzbanwand means selectively engageable with the: fitting 1; supple-rt :to limitits vbiased rmovement 1 andrtheiieby adapt thez-support 'for suppo-rting a fi ren zfitti e a HARRY NELSON.

REFERENCES. omen The followi-ngreferences are of record in the file 0f this patent:

UNITEDMSTATES PATENTS Number 1 Name Date 680,656 Gray Aug..13, 15 01 1,125g574 i Luppert'; Jan. 19, 1915 1,271,792 Standish; July 9, 1918' 1,753,425": MacDonald; Apr. 8, 1930: 2,260,389,: Lorentzeni Oct.'28 191 2,326,293 (Srast Aug.- 10; 1943'; 

